# Laminated-Timber Minimal Houses Ao-ft Designs the New Spruce House Using Cross-Laminated Timber By Amy Duong | Published 2023-05-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spruce-house References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2023/05/15/ao-ft-timber-clad-spruce-house-london-terrace/) & [ao-ft](https://ao-ft.com/)  Local design studio [Ao-ft](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tree-courtyard-house) completes the [Spruce House](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-spruce) which is located in Walthamstow, London that is constructed with timber battens with mullions that cover the facade of the cross-laminated timber structure. It is built on a conversation area between terraced houses to create two-story homes. At the back of the house is a narrow site with a separate studio building. Ao-ft founding director Liz Tatarintseva states that "Spruce House and [Studio](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/redwood-house) was designed to fit gently within their streetscape and site, but to add interest and delight too. Crafting places that reimagine their historic beginnings and reinterpret their functions – in this case a shop front becoming a home – makes for a fascinating design process." Image Credit: Ao-ft ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 16% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Cross-laminated Timber Construction:** The use of cross-laminated timber as a primary construction material for residential and commercial buildings offers an opportunity for sustainable and efficient building practices. - **Minimalist Architecture:** Minimalist architecture in urban areas creates a balance between functionality and aesthetic design, while utilizing efficient use of space. - **Adaptive Reuse of Existing Structures:** The adaptive reuse of existing structures, such as repurposing a shopfront to a home, can create unique and sustainable living spaces within urban areas. ### Where This Applies - **Construction:** The construction industry can incorporate cross-laminated timber as a sustainable and efficient material for building residential and commercial structures. - **Architecture:** The use of minimalist architecture in urban areas can offer solutions for efficient use of limited space while maintaining aesthetic design. - **Real Estate:** The adaptive reuse of existing structures provides opportunities for real estate developers to create unique and sustainable living spaces within urban areas. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tree-Surrounding Mass-Timber Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tree-courtyard-house.md) - [Wood-Framed Housing Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/common-woods.md) - [Timber-Framed Brick Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/erbar-mattes.md) - [Modern Timber Lake Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-clt-house.md) - [Cornish Cliffside CLT-Framed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twofamily-house.md) - [Lightweight Timber Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/easi-house.md) - [Timber-Clad Home Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thornbury-house.md) - [Plant-Based Cabin Constructions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cross-cabin.md) - [Lake-Bordering Timber Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3ae.md)